[March 10, 2014]PEORIA — During Red Cross Month,
the American Red Cross invites everyone to make a difference in
their communities by giving blood, volunteering, taking a class or
making a financial donation. Those supporters enable the Red Cross
to continue to help people in need, like the Roux family.

Jenny Roux's son, Blake, was born with a rare and serious chromosome
disorder that causes multiple abnormalities. Jenny and Blake both
received two pints of blood the day he was born. For Blake, that
marked the first of many transfusions. Jenny said she knew her time
with him would be short, but she credits multiple blood transfusions
with helping extend his life.

"Without the blood transfusions, I
don't know that he would have even had the 10 months we had with
him," she said.

At that point Jenny again turned to the Red Cross, and the
organization's Service to the Armed Forces program provided
emergency communications about Blake's death to her husband, who was
deployed to Iraq.

Thanks to everyday heroes, the Red Cross was there for the Roux
family in their time of need.

The Red Cross invites the public to discover their inner hero
this month. To make an appointment to donate blood or for more
information about other ways to get involved with the Red Cross,
visit www.redcrossblood.org
or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit
www.redcrossblood.org to
make an appointment to donate blood or for more information. All
blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A
blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of
identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17
years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at
least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible.
High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger
also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional
support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the
nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides
international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and
their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that
depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to
perform its mission. For more information, visit
www.redcross.org or
visit on Twitter at @RedCross.